Verbal Memory is Higher After Aerobic Exercise When Compared to Muscle Stretching
Abigail Doku1, Gavin T Roupe2, Emma Rankine1
1School of Health Sciences, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA (AD, ER, IF, MZ).
Abstract:
Acute exercise is linked to memory improvement. Several mediators may influence the effect of exercise such as the type of exercise (aerobic exercise, muscle stretching). Purpose: The primary aim was to analyze memory outcomes after a 20-min bout of aerobic exercise or muscle stretching. Methods: 42 healthy participants ages 18-35 were randomized to perform 20 min of either moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (AE) on a treadmill or muscle stretching exercise (SE). After exercise, memory was assessed using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). The relationship between exercise heart rate and memory outcomes were evaluated within each group. Results: Immediate learning as well as delayed recall was higher after AE compared to SE. Heart rate during exercise correlated with immediate learning in the AE group only. Conclusion: Acute exercise that elicits a heart rate response may be important for improving memory.
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Muscle Stimulation Frequency
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...


